Casket of Souls

admirers.
    Illia caught him next and held on to him for three dances, teasing him through every one of them.
    “Are you having a good time?” he asked, swinging her around the steps of a gallop. “You look very grown-up with your hair up like that.”
    “I am getting grown-up,” she replied haughtily. “And I’m still a better dancer than you are.”
    “You’ll have to take that up with Beka, then, since she’s the one who taught me.”
    “I remember, that first time you came out to Watermead. You were a regular donkey, stepping all over her feet.”
    “You’d better be nice to me on my name day, or I’ll tread on yours,” he warned, hoisting her into the air as the music ended.
    Illia let out a most un-grown-up squeal, but hugged him soundly as soon as he put her down.
    He finally managed to excuse himself and caught Selin in the dining room, where people were playing cards. Elsbet was there, and had a respectable pile of winnings in front of her. Alec gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and she went pink in the face.
    “I didn’t know priestesses in training were allowed to gamble,” he teased as Elsbet laid another winning card on the table and her opponents groaned.
    “They shouldn’t be,” Selin exclaimed, throwing down his cards in disgust and paying his wager as Alec took a seat beside him. “Illior favors gamblers, and she wears the Immortal’s mark.”
    “Uncle Seregil taught me to play,” said Elsbet. “I don’t need any more luck than that.”
    “My apologies, I was only joking,” Selin returned, blushing, and Alec realized that the young lord’s chaffing might be more than idle banter. He seemed quite entranced by Elsbet’s quiet charm. “I’m not playing with you, either!” he announced to Alec, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “Mygrandmother taught me never to wager against anyone on their name day. It’s bad luck the rest of the year if you lose.”
    “If I lose or you lose?”
    Selin thought a moment, clearly well into his wine. “Well, I don’t recall, but it’s bad luck for one of us and I’m not going to risk it.”
    “Why don’t we take a turn in the garden?” Alec suggested. “It’s much cooler out there.”
    Selin, who’d lost most of his right leg in a carriage accident as a child, retrieved his ornate crutch and nimbly followed Alec outside. It was a clear, moonless night, but the stars were bright enough to cast shadows. The trailing roses on the arbors were in full bloom, scenting the night air.
    “What have you been up to all summer?” asked Alec. “We haven’t seen you in ages.”
    “Tending to my mother’s affairs,” Selin replied. “Since Father died, she’s gone to pieces. She stays in bed all day, sometimes.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. But you do get free now and then, obviously.”
    “Oh, yes. I’ve managed one hunt this summer, and I attend Archduchess Alaya’s salons whenever I can.”
    Ah, there was an opening. “How do you know her?”
    “Mother sends me for the latest gossip. It’s one of her few pleasures these days.”
    “Isn’t Duke Reltheus a friend of the archduchess?”
    “Why, yes! And a friend of mine, as well. Do you know him?”
    “No, but I’ve heard he’s an interesting conversationalist.” Alec had, of course, heard no such thing. Fortunately, his guess was on target.
    “A very amusing fellow!” Selin agreed. “The archduchess is very fond of the man.”
    “How do they know each other?” Alec asked.
    “The princess royal hunted on his estate last winter. His forests are teeming with deer! Princess Elani’s whole court accompanied her, and evidently the archduchess was quite taken with him then.” Selin lowered his voice with a wink.“It’s rumored that the princess was rather enamored of his oldest son, Danos, too.”
    Alec pretended surprise. “So Danos is courting the princess?”
    “From a distance, if he is. He’s with the Queen’s Horse Guard.” Selin sounded a little wistful, absently drumming his fingers on his crutch. “To be honest, I don’t know the son as well as the father. Duke Reltheus is quite the bakshi player.”
    “Perhaps you could introduce us sometime. He sounds like a fellow worth knowing.”
    “I’d be happy to! Write me tomorrow and I’ll arrange something.”
    This had been a good night’s work after all.
    Thero was rather drunk and dancing with Elsbet Cavish when he suddenly felt a faint crawling sensation on the back of his neck again; it